Brian Joseph English

Brian Joseph English of Roswell, Georgia passed unexpectedly on Saturday, September 2, 2023 on the UGA campus with the chapel bells ringing following the home opener game. Brian was born on October 7, 1966, and spent his childhood in both Metuchen and Edison, New Jersey. Brian was adored by his mother and grandparents who lovingly called him “Briney Boy.” Together they traveled the country via Winnebago and loved all things Disney. Brian shared his passion for “the most magical place on earth” with his brothers, sisters, and children, even managing to convert his wife. They would talk endlessly about new attractions, rides, resorts and snacks, traveling there more times than anyone can count. Brian graduated from Rider University in New Jersey with degrees in history and journalism. He later attended the School of Visual Arts in New York City, where he crafted a creative portfolio that would launch his career in advertising. While he did not have a Don Draper swagger, his creative talents were superior, working at ad giants like WB Donor, Amirati Puris Lintas, Saatchi & Saatchi, BBDO and local superstars Ames Scullin O’Hare and Fredrick Swanston. Brian spent the last 10 years doing what he loved the most – radio – creating clever, award-winning scripts for iHeartMedia. He received numerous awards and accolades for his hilarious wit and unmatched talent, but it was the friendships he formed that held the greatest significance. While Brian flooded his friends with jokes in thousands of texts and emails, his formidable football knowledge proved insufficient to securing himself a championship in the iHeart Fantasy Football League. Thanks to rugby, Brian met the love of his life Carol and the best friends a guy could ever know. Known to all as “Benglish,” he played at Princeton Rugby in college and later for Manhattan Rugby Club and Bayonne Bombers Rugby. Brian played prop and used his high school musical theater talents (yes, he was a thespian too) to lead the crowd in rugby songs from atop bars up and down the East Coast. Brian and Carol met in 1992 at O’Nieal’s in Hoboken after a St. Patrick’s Day parade. They married in 1994 and lived in Bayonne, Hoboken and Cranford, New Jersey as well as Baltimore, Maryland. But they both fell deeply in love with the South after spending their honeymoon on Kiawah Island, a few miles from historic Charleston. Eventually they would settle in Georgia in 2005 and raise a family. The benefits of being married to such an extraordinary writer resulted in stacks and stacks of beautifully crafted love letters that Carol still holds dear to her heart. Where Brian really found his passion was with his family. Having been a big brother to four much younger siblings, Brian was well prepared for parenthood. When his children Molly and Thomas came into his life, he was a man head-over-heels in love. He devoured them, beamed with pride and served as their history and English tutor, scout leader, football coach, drama director, swim team announcer and go-to encyclopedia for all facts, spellings, definitions and more. Brian was preceded in death by his mother, Kathleen Aurilio (née Dolan), grandparents Kay & Dan Dolan and beloved dog Copper English. He is survived by his loving wife, Carol English (née McCarthy), daughter Molly, son Thomas and siblings Pam (Brian Cresenzi), Chris Aurilio, Kevin Aurilio (Jess Shaheen), Kait Gesek (Matt) and stepfather Dr. Joseph Aurilio. He was loved by his family, friends, coworkers, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and of course his two doodles, Gus and Kirby. There will be services in Georgia and New Jersey. Brian was cremated on September 6th and a visitation will be held on Thursday, September 7th from 6:00-8:00pm with a prayer service at 7:30pm at Northside Chapel in Roswell, GA. A funeral mass will be held at St. Helen’s Roman Catholic Church in Westfield, NJ on Saturday, September 9th at 12:00pm.

Brian Joseph English

October 7, 1966 - September 2, 2023